6TH ANNUAL KURDISH YOUTH FESTIVAL POSTPONED DUE TO GROWING CONCERN OVER CURRENT SITUATION IN KURDISTAN
Over the past several months, Kurdistan has been facing a serious threat from the terrorist militants of the group that calls itself the Islamic State. In addition to security concerns in the regions, the situation has led to a growing refugee crisis and increased hardships for the people living in Kurdistan. This is a perilous time for Kurds and Kurdish forces have put their lives on the line for the security and safety of the people of Kurdistan. Thousands have been killed and millions have been displaced from their homes. Kurds around the world have been watching with held breaths over the danger facing their fellow countrymen.

The Kurdish Youth Festival committee has made the decision to postpone the 6th annual Kurdish Festival that was originally planned for January 9, 10, and 11, 2015 in San Francisco, California to an indefinite future date. The committee believes that in the wake of current events, it would be irresponsible to hold an event in January while so many are facing unimaginable devastation and loss.

The Kurdish Youth Festival committee would like to apologize for the postponement, especially to those who have already made travel and accommodation plans. If you have already purchased air travel to attend the festival, please provide the committee with a copy of your airline receipt prior to October 26th, 2014. The Kurdish Youth Festival will reimburse attendees for the cancellation of any airline tickets booked for the January 2015 festival. Please send the airline receipt to kyf@kurdishyouthfestival.org.

Unfortunately, these circumstances are beyond our control but we intend to make the next Kurdish Youth Festival an unforgettable event. Please stay tuned to our social media for updates on the new dates for the next festival event.

In the immediate term, the committee members will focus their time and efforts on assisting the humanitarian efforts to help the refugees that have been affected by the crisis. If you would like to help, please contact us. We will be continuously announcing our efforts as they are confirmed.

The committee would like to thank all attendees and sponsors for their continued support. We hope to see you at the next festival and we are hopeful and optimistic that we will make it through these hard times by uniting and working together for our people.

Check back for updates!
While you wait for further announcement, check back from time to time to see the latest news about the new dates and other activities in which our committee and volunteers are taking part. We really hope to see you at the next festival! This is only a postponement as no threat can ever fully disrupt the pride we take in celebrating and sharing the Kurdish culture with the world.

While we aim to develop our community, we do not lose sight of what's really important: you, the individual. We would like to give you a helping hand with your education, and see you reach your highest potential.

Kurds got talent? Yes they do! Previous attendees have competed in categories such as visual arts, film and video, poetry and spoken word, and of course singing and musical performances. Apply for Kurds Got Talent or the Art Auction!

Sponsors are the ones who help make this extraordinary event possible. Become part of a truly remarkable movement by adding your name to a long list of companies, organizations, and individual sponsors.

Very supportive & amazed by @KurdFestivalUSA works and the hard work the committee does. Wish you the best of luck with #4KYF.

Chopy Fatah, Singer

Not only will I get to meet so many of my fellow Kurds, but I will also have the opportunity to be a part of a movement that will empower our generation and inspire creativity.

Sazan Barzani, Host & Model

Fastlink wishes everyone at the 2014 Kurdish Youth Festival a great time and will leave you with food for thought: For more than a decade, Kurdistan has been without widely available broadband, but now Fastlink’s 4G LTE service can contribute to rejoining the global community.